Steve Miller’s outrage over Roni Burns-Ellis’ private Facebook post is a gross overreaction. He thinks the term “thug” is racist, which it most certainly is not.

That term could, in fact be applied to Miller, who intended to “confront her face to face” yet admits that it was just as well that he was unable to do so as he “would have said the wrong things.” That would most certainly have been thuggish behavior, which, again, has nothing to do with race.

I suggest Miller use this as a teachable moment for his young daughter. He can tell her that no one has the right to not be offended and that her principal was exercising her God-given right to free speech, just as Colin Kaepernick did when taking the knee while wearing socks depicting police officers as pigs.

— Karen Hochwald, Irvine

Jobs and economic growth

Re “California leads nation in energy-efficient jobs” (Sept. 9):

In highlighting where all these energy jobs are, the article indirectly suggests the many states where they are not as prevalent.

This means there’s an incredible opportunity throughout our nation to shift focus toward the cost savings and environmental benefits available everywhere by installing more efficient equipment and saving energy. That means lots more jobs and economic growth.

My company does energy efficiency and clean energy projects like solar and there is a natural hurdle to these kinds of projects; change is rarely easy and building owners are understandably conservative. Helping to lower that hurdle and raise up this hopeful, growing trend, this article thankfully highlights the clear benefits to building owners and our nation.

Letter writer Christian Milord criticizes Democrats for “taking digs” at Trump at John McCain’s funeral. One of the most eloquent “digs” at Trump was delivered by McCain’s daughter, Meghan.

Apparently, Milord doesn’t realize that Meghan McCain is a Republican and she had every right to criticize Trump because of the horrible “digs” and disrespect Trump directed at her father, American hero John McCain.

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